Beltway Blog — Udall calls for those responsible for war dead at Dover Mortuary to be fired

WASHINGTON — Democrat Sen. Mark Udall said he was horrified to hear about how remains of American troops have been handled at Dover Air Force Base and called Thursday for those responsible who are still there to be fired.

“There is no conceivable justification for our fallen to be treated in a manner that is totally devoid of the dignity or respect they deserved,” he said, in a statement.

Udall, a member of both the Senate Intelligence Committittee and Armed Services, was responding to news reports this week that remains of some soldiers between 2003 and 2008 were improperly disposed of at Dover Mortuary at the Air Force base. The Department of Defense opened an investigation this week.

“Hundreds of Colorado troops who were killed in action from 2003 to 2008 passed through Dover on their final journey home, and their loved ones cannot be left to wonder if the remains of their husbands, wives, sons, and saughter swere discarded in such a callous manner,” Udall said.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.